Riot police use water cannons to disperse demonstrators during a protest against internet censorship in Istanbul

Riot police use water cannons to disperse demonstrators during a protest against internet censorship in Istanbul February 8, 2014. Police fired water cannon and teargas to disperse hundreds of people protesting in central Istanbul on Saturday against new controls on the Internet approved by parliament this week. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Turkish police fire tear gas to break up Internet protest

Police fired water cannon and teargas to disperse hundreds of people protesting in central Istanbul on Saturday against new controls on the Internet approved by parliament this week.

The new powers, once approved by the president, will let authorities block web pages within hours, in what the opposition has said is part of a government bid to stifle discussion of a corruption scandal.

Riot police advanced along Istanbul's Istiklal Avenue behind armored vehicles firing water cannon at protesters, some of whom waved flags and held up placards. (Reuters)